James Island, South Carolina – Central Park Road will resume to vehicular traffic on Friday as Charleston County prepares for an influx of tourists to adjacent James Island County Park.
Thousands of people visit the park each year for the Holiday Festival of Lights, which begins on Friday. The surrounding neighborhood is expected to witness increased traffic as guests arrive for the yearly event.
Charleston County officials stated the route will reopen at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 14, and will remain open each evening and on weekends throughout the event to accommodate additional traffic.
Construction on the Central Park Road Drainage Project will continue throughout the season. There may be occasional daytime restrictions, but officials say they should not have an impact on festival transport.
The project, which began in June, is on track and within budget, according to the county. It includes road and drainage upgrades between Riverland Drive and Fleming Road, which officials believe will significantly reduce flooding in the area.
Crews raised Central Park Road by up to two feet along the project corridor and constructed three larger drainage pipes fitted with two tide gates and one tidal check valve to prevent incoming tides from exceeding normal high tide levels.
“Together, these measures will prevent future roadway flooding caused by the nearby James Island Creek, provide greater flow capacity, allow continual saltwater exchange through the crossing, and increase stormwater storage upstream,” the county’s spokesperson stated.
The project’s funding comes from federal grants, state gas tax monies overseen by the Charleston Transportation Committee, and county stormwater funds. Completion is expected in February 2026.
